ICYouth: Life Isn’t a Wrestling Match (Makenna)

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By Makenna Nahorniak

It’s a quiet morning. I walk into the coffee shop for a good jolt of energy as I kickstart my day, and the four walls are filled with joyous music. I see a fingerpicking musician enjoying a slow Friday doing what he does best. People are smiling. Each person’s day is instantly happier at the sheer thought of a person being where he is and embracing his deep love for that six-string.

This occurrence begged the question: What if we cultivated the unique passions that the Lord has given to each of us?

I have this fear of being mediocre. I’m quite sure that I’m not the only one. I’ve been one to assume that I have failed until I’ve become better than someone else. It’s a sad place to be — continually striving for something more than what you have. It’s like a roadblock. I’ve found myself stunted and stopped because I can’t keep up. However, there’s a God who sees the struggle. He shifts the negative thinking and allows us to see the truth when we’re willing to look.

Here’s the truth: Life isn’t a wrestling match. It’s not about coming out on top with great victories. God isn’t keeping track of wins and losses – Christ is the ultimate champion. His glory is one that can’t be exceeded. As His followers, we must seek His fame and exaltation instead of our own.

We often forget to look up and celebrate the success of others for fear that our failures and inabilities will be brought into the light for all to see. We don’t want our “less-thans” to be visible.

In the midst of my crippling fear of mediocrity, I’ve found gladness in God’s call to worship Him with the gifts and talents that He’s presented to me- regardless of what that might look like in comparison to others.

You are you, and I am me.

We can’t lose ourselves trying to align our success with that of others.

It’s in that moment of empty ambition that we miss out on the plans and purposes that God has for our lives. Growing up, my parents always taught me how important it was to act according to God’s will- for an audience of one. It’s not about perfection; it’s about worship. It’s not about first place; it’s about lifting up the name of the Lord.

I can’t play the guitar like the man at the coffee shop this morning, and chances are, many of us never will– but we can indeed praise the Lord in every moment, His glory the ultimate goal.

Makenna Nahorniak is a senior at Christian Life School. She enjoys leading worship, singing, reading, writing and using her words to encourage others’ hearts.